His question left me speechless and in tears.

Kids can ask the craziest and most bizarre questions. They can also ask questions that leave you stunned and without an answer. The other night my son (who is a very deep thinker) was talking to me about how everyone will die someday and there’s nothing to do about it — so why worry (like I do)? (Love these kids!)

As we quietly lay on the floor I looked at him and it was clear he was thinking. So I said, “What’s on your mind?” “Mom,” he said, “What do you think is going through a person’s mind when he realizes that his next breath is going to be his last breath.”

S***

At first, I quickly tried to cover up with — “Oh, honey, people are usually sleeping so they don’t know.” But then I realized that I was avoiding the real question and issue – the deep feeling he was having about how he loves life and how difficult it will be when it’s time to say good-bye.

I have no idea how he got to this point (this is the one who will hugs me every time he sees me cry. So, I guess it’s not too shocking that he asked the question). But, it’s a question that deserves some thought.

First, we never know when. I imagine that even when someone is close, they must not actually think it’s the last moment. And, since we can’t know, we’re going to have to look at it from a different angle.

Our focus should be on life. Taking each breath as if it’s our last. Really experiencing and making sure we feel as many moments as we can.

Yesterday, I was picking up take-out food and I noticed a couple come in for dinner. They were in their 60’s. I watched the husband, without a second thought, reach over and start to touch his wife’s hair. She looked at him and smiled. It was a split second move. Likely without thought. But it had enough meaning for a lifetime.

I’m not sure where I’m going with this post other than to remind you that the reason we want to continue to take breaths, is not because of our nice furniture, new clothes or beautiful jewelry:

We want to continue to breathe because of the love in our lives.

That’s it.

So, show and express your love today. Touch someone’s arm when you talk to them. Give a loving look, smile or hug. For those of you who are the constant recipients of my unconscious hand squeezes, hugs and touches — pawn it off to my constant feelings of love for you (and being Italian!).

That’s it. It was a good question with no answer. But once more, one of my kids has left me thinking about how lucky I am — in every sense of the word.